Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Hellhunters #1
Marvel's newest Ghost Rider finally has his own series and it already promises to be the most horrible in the franchise so far. After appearing for the first time on the pages of Incredible Hulk (2024), readers are reintroduced to Sal Romero and his violent rebirth as a Spirit of Vengeance. Entrenched in occult folk horror, mixed with dirty and disturbing imagery, this Ghost Rider series has all the ingredients for a future staple.
Hell Hunters #1 – written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, with art by Adam Gorham - immediately plunges readers into the wintry hell of the Russian winter of 1944, where a squad of Nazis stumble across the desert, languishing in the snow.
Then, in the distance, an echoing voice draws the soldiers to the corpse of a talking horse, chained to a tree and a silver cross. When promised to become an “eternal champion of the Reich,” Felix Bruckner accepts. Immediately, Johnson and Gorham take a stand, based on chilling dialogue and art. Below, readers are reintroduced to Sal Romero, his mysterious death, and horrific story
deal with a bitter devil
The Devil and his latest Ghost Rider have a mutual score to establish themselves in Marvel's new “Hellhunters” series
Hell Hunters #1– Written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson; Art by Adam Gorham; Color by Frank Martin; Lyrics by VC's Travis Lanham; Cover art: Jonas Scharp and Alex Guimarães
Hell Hunters #1 it's a bold step into Ghost Rider lore; the creative team immediately delivers on the book's premise, as you'd expect from the horror-loving duo. The traumatic action continues its momentum as readers meet Sal, who crosses paths with this mysterious spirit and is attacked and left for dead – until the Devil offers Sal an alternative. He offers his own soul to be used as Ghost Rider, so that he and Sal together can destroy this rogue spirit. For the first time in Marvel Comics, the Devil gets his hands dirty looking for revenge.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to say with certainty which “Devil” and which “spirit” are involved in this mystery. Zarathos and Mephisto are the prime suspects, but readers of Incredible Hulk should know how much Johnson loves his hidden mysteries. Regardless, Johnson and Gorham's pronounced introduction establishes the intensity of tone that readers should expect from the series. Later, when the issue introduces the eccentric supporting cast, their colorful dynamics are still grounded in the chilling horror that occurred immediately before. And that's a good thing. So far, the series' expanded cast is equally intense in its own way.
The eclectic and eccentric cast of "Hellhunters" are working towards the same goal
Ghost Rider's new villain is highly sought after
Alongside Sal Romero, Ghost Rider is accompanied by Nick Fury Sr., the Ultimate Soldier, and Peggy Carter. In future issues, the Hellhunters will be
accompanied by Wolverine
and fifteen-year-old Bucky Barnes, too. Hopefully the series won't allow the expanding team to distract from the Ghost Rider-centric plot, but it's worth remembering that this isn't a solo series. That being said, every character here is after the same Ghost Rider target: Felix Buckner. So far, the series has shown it knows its way around the show, but now it's time to see if it can maintain a mystery.
More horrific than ever, this iteration of Ghost Rider is opening up a new story of folk horror and occult mystery.
As stated before, it is easy to assume that Bruckner now carries Zarathos and that the Devil himself joined Romero on the road. However, advance solicitations released by Marvel Comics for future issues of Hell Hunters You can already tell that this won't happen. Hopefully, Hell Hunters The creative team has something bigger in store for this already spectacular series. More horrific than ever, this iteration of Ghost Rider is releasing a new story of folk horror and occult mystery.
Hellhunters #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.